Sequencing of the complete genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, combined with the rapidly increasing need to improve tuberculosis management through better drugs and vaccines, has initiated extensive research on several key proteins from the pathoge ...

Sequencing of the complete genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, combined with the rapidly increasing need to improve tuberculosis management through better drugs and vaccines, has initiated extensive research on several key proteins from the pathogen. RecA, a ubiquitous multifunctional protein, is a key component of the processes of homologous genetic recombination and DNA repair. Structural knowledge of MtRecA is imperative for a full understanding of both these activities and any ensuing application. The crystal structure of MtRecA, presented here, has six molecules in the unit cell forming a 6(1) helical filament with a deep groove capable of binding DNA. The observed weakening in the higher order aggregation of filaments into bundles may have implications for recombination in mycobacteria. The structure of the complex reveals the atomic interactions of ADP-AlF(4), an ATP analogue, with the P-loop-containing binding pocket. The structures explain reduced levels of interactions of MtRecA with ATP, despite sharing the same fold, topology and high sequence similarity with EcRecA. The formation of a helical filament with a deep groove appears to be an inherent property of MtRecA. The histidine in loop L1 appears to be positioned appropriately for DNA interaction.